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Bible Dictionaries
Holman Bible Dictionary
Godliness
Only 1,2Timothy, Titus, and 2Peter use words with the euseb- root for Christian piety. Individuals can be trained in godliness ( 1 Timothy 4:7 ). Godly teaching (1 Timothy 6:3 ) is that which results in godly lives (Titus 1:1 ). False teachers sought to make their godliness a source of financial gain (1 Timothy 6:5 ). When “godliness” appears in lists with other virtues, it perhaps retains its earlier sense of respect for God and divinely ordained institutions (1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 1:3-7 ). The form of godliness lacking the power of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5 ) likely refers to professed godliness that failed to shape moral lives since the profession was not accompanied by a vital relationship with God.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Godliness'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/g/godliness.html. 1991.
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20